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readwithchar's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
realmegano's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely LOVE this book. The characters are so likable and flawed, like Kara, Maya, Liam and Adrian. It's a dark and deeply disturbing at parts- at one part Kara describes how Maya killed herself by cutting her wrists up- but it was such a great book. I'd reccomend it to older young adult readers, because of the drug use and violence that happens throughout the story.
The 'ballads' are the stories written by Kara's friends (during high school) about the things that went wrong with their life, and their problems. Kara goes back to Chicago after being away for several years, after she almost died from a heroin overdose. At the end of the book, in present time, Kara finally figures out how to write her ballad.
I'd give it 10/5 stars if I could. It was that amazing.
I reread it yearly. I higly recommend this book.
The 'ballads' are the stories written by Kara's friends (during high school) about the things that went wrong with their life, and their problems. Kara goes back to Chicago after being away for several years, after she almost died from a heroin overdose. At the end of the book, in present time, Kara finally figures out how to write her ballad.
I'd give it 10/5 stars if I could. It was that amazing.
I reread it yearly. I higly recommend this book.
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug use, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
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